About Ermine: Battles in the War of the Breton Succession, 1342-1364, from BoardGameGeek:
The death of Duke John III of Brittany in 1341, just 4 years after the beginning of the Hundred Years War would spark a dynastic conflict between Joan de Penthièvre, his niece, and John of Montfort, his nephew.
Both sides would be backed by the Kings of France and England, respectively. Charles de Blois, Joan’s husband, was the primary military leader of the French-backed side, and would be present in almost all of the battles during the conflict. Meanwhile, the Montfort faction would see numerous different ambitious and capable military leaders, who were regularly outnumbered by the French troops.
The war was characterized by a series of military engagements and shifting allegiances, as both factions sought to solidify their claims. The conflict not only featured traditional battles but also included skirmishes, sieges, and political manoeuvring, drawing in various local noble families, as well as notable mercenaries.
As the war unfolded, it became intertwined with the broader context of the Hundred Years' War, further complicating the regional dynamics. Ultimately, the war concluded with the Treaty of Guérande in 1365, which recognized John de Montfort’s son (also called John de Montfort, you’ll find that most of the major political players during this conflict were called either John or Joan) as the Duke of Brittany, establishing his lineage and ending the immediate succession crisis. This resolution would have lasting implications for Brittany's political landscape and its relationship with both France and England.
This entry is echoing Richard’s Berg design intent of the original Men of Iron, whose focus was to highlight the re-emergence of infantry on the battlefield at the beginning of the Hundred Years War. It will cover the 6 major battles during the War, as well as an extra one which saw many of the commanders and knights of the Breton conflict take part.
Components:
Three 22” x 34” Game Maps (back-printed)
Two Countersheets
Two Player Aid Cards
One Rulebook
One Playbook
Two 10-sided Dice
One Flight Point Track
Time scale: 1-5 hours
Map scale: about 110 yards per hex
Units: about 500 for Infantry, 250 for Missile units, and 150 for Mounted Men-at-Arms
Players: 1-2
—description from the designer
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